UK racing resumes on Friday following heatwave call-offs
GREYHOUND racing in the UK is set to resume on Friday with no temperature issues envisaged at scheduled afternoon meetings at Star Pelaw and Valley.
However, Harlow remains in the Met Office heat warning area and has cancelled morning and evening Friday meetings, while Greyhound Racing Ireland added Friday to the n0-racing list leading to Limerick and Mullingar call-offs.
It is expected that the heatwave will ease over the weekend with the schedule returning to normal.
Richard Brankley, Head of Greyhound Operations for SIS, said: “We have been working with our track partners in the UK and Ireland to amend this week’s racing schedule in light of the predicted high temperatures and we will of course continue to closely monitor developments.”
The GBGB has a policy in place to cover such circumstances and Veterinary Executive Tiffany Blackett said: “With high temperatures predicted this week, particularly in the south, we have already received several notifications of race cancellations in line with GBGB’s Hot Weather Policy.
“All tracks are implementing measures to safeguard the health and wellbeing of greyhounds during this period of hot weather and we are very grateful for their proactive approach – particularly the early communication of cancellations, which helps ensure trainers do not make unnecessary journeys and can focus on keeping their dogs cool at home at their residential kennels.
“We remain in close liaison with racecourses to ensure they are fully prepared for the peak temperatures expected in the coming days and that they continue to meet all Policy requirements.”